For those interested (and with plenty of funds) there is a Niles locomotive wheel lathe on ebay.

$64,500.00
Casa Grande, AZ
Item# 330219562911

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0219562911

Interesting. I wonder what the history is on this piece of machinery.

Probably a surplus military item.

That may be it.

~25 years ago while I was working as a civilian engineer for the Navy, we got computer access to the Navy's national stock system inventory. Just for fun one day, I did a search for "steam locomotive", and sure enough, it came up with a listing (complete with National Stock Number) for a 90 inch Niles wheel lathe. I figured it was just a left-over stock number in the system with no actual inventory, but maybe I was wrong!

Speaking of wheel lathes, Does anyone have any idea how much they weigh? The E-bay one claims 81,000 pounds. An article lists The 73" one at Henry Ford at 40,000 pounds. As someone who is looking for one A weight to figure a shipping budget would come in handy. Thanks.

Looks like someone went crazy with the grey paint.

Having moved one, it comes in closer to 55 tons (110,000lbs)
Dave Griner
Wasatch Railroad Contractors

There is an interesting note listed on the machine;

Distance Between Centers: 101'' - 120''

I wonder if that is just a general number given to describe the machine, or if the two turning plates could move together until some other part touched, like the tool posts?

Anyone want to tell us whether this would turn a 3' gauge, 2' gauge or even a 15" gauge axle set. If not I wonder what the limiting factor on a smaller center distance is?

Hi folks,

the pricetag on that lathe just jumped to US $118,500.00. For that price, you would hope that its brand new...

Joe

Okay, I feel it's my fiduciary responsibility to do this:

The Baltimore Streetcar Museum has a Niles wheel lathe of similar proportions in Baltimore AVAILABLE. We have one party seriously looking into its acquisition, and we consider that party "first in line". The nominal "asking price" is scrap value of many tons of metal; I've heard varying figures as to its weight. Moving it will be more of a challenge than acquisition or restoration. The lathe would come with a rebuilt electric motor; it has been stored in the open for several years but can be made to operate again.

Again, we have one party actively pursuing this; if you have a legitimate interest in such a lathe. PM or e-mail me and we'll take it from there if the first party falls through.

Not quite the same. The one on E-bay is a 90" model. The one your refering to is a 54" Model. quite a bit of differance when you want to do steam engine wheels.

If anyone is still checking here, about the second posting asked about the history of this lathe and it was conjectured that it might be ex military. If the posting on E-Bay were to be read thru it states that the lathe came from PhelpsDodge and was considered to be 85-90 percent as new. Andy

Is it my eyes, or did the price of the lathe nearly double???

Gerald